testículos

Testículos, also known as testes, are the primary reproductive organs in male humans and animals. They are typically oval-shaped and housed within a sac of skin called the scrotum, which hangs outside the body. This external location is crucial for maintaining a slightly lower temperature than the rest of the body, optimal for sperm production.

Within each testicle are coiled tubes called seminiferous tubules. These tubules are the site of spermatogenesis, the process of generating sperm cells. Sperm are male gametes essential for fertilization. Additionally, specialized cells within the testes, known as Leydig cells, produce androgens, the most important of which is testosterone. Testosterone is a vital hormone responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics and plays a role in sperm production and libido.

The testes also produce seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm. This fluid mixes with secretions from other glands, like the prostate and seminal vesicles, to form semen. The testes are connected to the vas deferens, a tube that carries sperm from the scrotum to the urethra, allowing for ejaculation. The descent of the testes from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum during fetal development is a critical process; failure of this descent, known as cryptorchidism, can lead to fertility issues and an increased risk of testicular cancer.